A short history of Denmark, Sweden and Norway

A short history of Denmark

Since 500 BC present-day Denmark is inhabited by Danish tribes. Danish Vikings establish power inthe ninth century in England and Normandy and around 950 the Kingdom of Denmark becomes afact. During the viking period (9th-11th centuries), Denmark is a great power based on the JutlandPeninsula, the Island of Zealand, and the southern part of what is now Sweden. In the early 11thcentury, king Canute unites Denmark and England for almost 30 years. From 1000 on Denmarkoccupies lots of areas, including Estonia and Norway, but it finally loses control over England. Defacto Denmark is a feudal state. Since the Kalmar Union of 1397 the Kingdom of Denmark forms apersonal union with Sweden and Norway. Sweden becomes independent in 1523. After theNapoleonic war Denmark has to secede Norway to Sweden in 1814.Denmark remains an absolute monarchy until 1849 when it becomes a parliamentary monarchy.Though mostly liberals dominate parliament, the king appoints for long times conservatives as primeminister. Dominant prime ministers are Jakob Brønnum Scavenius Estrup (1875-1894), Kjeld ThorTage Otto von Reedtz-Thott (1894-1897), Hugo Egmont Hørring (1897-1900) and Hannibal Sehestedtil Broholm (1900-1901). This changes in 1901 when Johan Hendrik Deuntzer of the liberalVenstrereformpartiet (Left Reform Party, VRP) becomes prime minister in a parliamentarygovernment. VRP leads the government until 1909, with Jens Christian Christensen (1905-1908),Niels Thomasius Neergard (1908-1909) and Johan Ludvig Carl Christian, greve Holstein-Ledreborg(1909). After the defeat of his government in parliament in 1909, the leader of Radikale Venstre(Radical Left, RV), Carl Theodor Zahle, heads a minority government. He is succeeded in 1910 byKlaus Berntsen of the Venstre (Left) in 1910, but he regains the premiership in 1913. The radicalgovernment introduces universal suffrage in 1915. From 1918 on Denmark forms a personal unionwith its former colony of Iceland. In 1920 Neergard becomes prime minister again.When Det Socialdemokratiscke Forbund (Social Democractic League, SDF) becomes the largestparty in 1924, its leader Thorvald August Marinus Stauning become prime minister. For long timesSDF will be the dominant party in Danish politics. This is interrupted by a coalition lead by ThomasMadsen-Mygdal of Venstre in 1926. Stauning becomes prime minister again in 1929 when theconservatives withdraw support of the Madsen-Mydgal government. From 1940 to 1945 Denmark isoccupied by Germany. During this war Stauning is succeeded by his co-partisan Vilhelm Buhl in 1942and by the non-partisan Erik Julius Christian Scavenius in 1942. Scavenius lays down his function in1943, from then on Germany governs Denmark alone. During this occupation Iceland, occupied bythe United States, leaves the personal union in 1944 and becomes independent.After the war Vilhelm Buhl becomes prime minister again for some months. When SDF loses the1945 elections he is succeeded by Knud Kristensen. The SDF, historically identified with wellorganizedlabour movement but today appealing more broadly to the middle class, holds power eitheralone or in coalition from `147 tot 1968 under the premiership of Hans Hedtoft of the SDF (1947-1950 and 1953-1955), Hans Christian Hansen (1955-1960), Viggo Kampmann (1960-1962), and JensOtto Krag (1962-1968 and 1971-1972). Under Kampmann the party is renamed Socialdemokratiet iDanmark (Social Democracy in Denmark, SD). This social-democratic rule is interrupted by apremiership of Erik Eriksen of Venstre (in a coalition with the Konservative Folkeparti (ConservativePeople’s Party, KFP) between 1950 and 1953. A second interruption takes place when RadikaleVenstre wins the 1968 Hilmar Baunsgaard can form a coalition of RV, Venstre and KFP.In 1971 social-democratic rule starts again with Krag. He is succeeded by Anker Jørgensen in 1972.In 1973 SD loses the elections and Poul Hartling of Venstre can form a minority government. Thesame year Denmark joins the European Communities (renamed European Union. Anker Jørgensenregains the premiership in 1975 and holds this function until 1982. The elections of 1981 are won bythe KFP. Poul Schlüter becomes prime minister in a coalition with Venstre and others until 1993. Thatyear SD wins the elections and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen can form a government with RV andSocialistisk Folkpartiet (Socialist People’s Party, SF). In 2001 Venstre wins the elections, whichmakes Anders Fogh Rasmussen prime minister in a coalition with the KF.

A short history of Sweden

Out of Germanic tribes in present-day Sweden between the fourth and sixth century a Swedishethnicity develops. This ethnicity forms part of the Vikings. In the eleventh century the two Swedishstates, Svealand and Gotland, merge into the feudal Kingdom of Sweden. Sweden conquers Finlandbetween 1157 and 1293. Between 1397 and 1434 the Kingdom of Sweden is in a personal union withand subordinated to Denmark.Sweden regains independence in 1435 inside the union and a first Swedish diet is formed. Between1517 and 1523 Sweden is occupied by Denmark, but in 1523 a strengthened Kingdom of Swedenregains independence. In the upcoming century Sweden conquers areas like Estonia, Latvia and partsof Northern Germany. After the defeat in 1718 in the Nordic War Sweden has to pull out of the Balticand Northern German possesions. Sweden suffers further territorial losses during the Napoleonic warsand is forced to cede Finland to Russia in 1809. The following year, the Swedish king’s adopted heir,the French marshal Bernadotte is elected crown prince as Karl Johan by the Riksdag. In 1813 hisforces join the allies against Napoleon. The Congress of Vienna compensates Sweden for its lostGerman territory through a merger of the Swedish and Norwegian crowns in a dual monarchy, whichwill last until 1905. The 19th century is marked by the emergence of a liberal opposition press, theabolition of guild monopolies in trade and manufacturing in favor of free enterprise, the introductionof taxation and voting reforms and the installation of a national military service.In 1867 Sweden becomes a parliamentary monarchy and at the end of the 19th Sweden develops intoa parliamentary democracy. The first prime minister is the liberal Louis Gerhard de Geer af Finspång(1876-1880). He is succeeded in 1880 by Arvid Rutger Fredrikson Posse of the agrarianLantmannapartiet (Peasants’ Party, Lp). In 1884 Carl Johan Thyselius of the conservatives becomesprime minister, but the liberals take over in 1884 with Oscar Robert Themptander. The conservativesresumes office in 1888 with Didrik Anders Gillis Bildt. The Protektionistiska majoritetspartiet(Protectionary Majority Party, PMP) can lead the government since 1889, with Baron Johan GustafNils Samuel Åkerhielm af Margretelund. In 1891 Erik Gustaf Boström of the agrarian NyaLantmannapartiet (New Peasants’ Party, NL) becomes prime minister, which he remains – with aninteruption by Baron Fredrik Wilhelm von Otter (1900-1902) – until 1905. At the end of 1905 KarlAlbert Staaff of the Liberala samlingspartiet (Liberal Coaliton Party, LSP) becomes prime minister forthe first time. The conservatives takes over in 1906 with Salomon Arvid Achates Lindman.In 1911 universal male suffrage is introduced and Karl Albert Staaff resumes office. After the 1914elections Hjalmar Hammarskjöld of the Hp becomes prime minister. In 1917 the elections are won bythe Sveriges Socialdemokratiska Arbetarepartiet (Social Democratic Workers’Party of Sweden, SAP).They join the liberals in a coalition under LSP prime minister Nils Edén (1917-1920). Thisgovernment realizes universal suffrage. In 1920 Karl Hjalmar Branting (1920-1920 and 1921-1923) ofthe SAP can lead the government. 1923 brings the conservative Högerpartiet (Right-Wing Party, Hp)to power with Ernst Trygger, but he is succeeded in 1924 by Branting. He in his turn is succeded byRickard Johannes Sandler. Since 1926 the liberal Frisinnade Folkpartiet (Freethinking People’s Party,FF) can lead the government. Carl Gustaf Ekman becomes prime minister until 1932, with aninteruption by Hp prime minister Salomon Arvid Achates Lindman between 1928 and 1930.In 1932 the SAP takes over with Per Albin Hansson. With a short interruption in 1936 he remainsprime minister until his death in 1946. He is succeeded by Tage Fritiof Erlander. Erlander holds poweruntil 1969, when he is succeeded by Sven Olof Joachim Palme. The non-social democratic partiestake over in 1976 with Thorbjörn Fälldin of the agrarian Centerpartiet (Centre Party, Cp) (1976-1978and 1979-1982) and Ola Ullsten of the liberal Folkpartiet (People’s Party, Fp) (1978-1979). Palmeresumes office in 1982. After his assasination in 1984 Ingvar Gösta Carlsson succeeds him. A nonsocialistgovernment lead by Carl Bildt of the conservative Moderata Samlingspartiet (ModerateCoalition Party, M) holds office between 1991 and 1994. In 1994 the SAP wins the elections andCarlsson resumes office. Sweden joins the European Union in 1995. He is succeeded in 1996 byGöran Persson.

A short history of Norway

Present-day Norway is populated by germanic tribes since the seventeenth century BC. These tribesevolute into the tribe of the Vikings. In the seventh, eight and ninth century the Vikings rule largeareas around the north, conquer Ireland and Normandy and explorer even Turkey, Sicily, Russia andNorth America. The Vikings of Norway are united in the Kingdom of Norway in 872. The Norwegianroyal line dies out in 1387,Norway gets in a personal union with Denmark and since 1397 also withSweden. Since 1450 Norway, although nominally a kingdom, is part of Denmark.The union with Denmark ends in 1814 and a personal union with Sweden is formed. The first primeminister is Frederik Stang from Høyre (Right) between 1873 and 1880. He is succeeded by ChristianAugust Selmer (1880-1994). The Høyre rule ends in 1884 when liberal leader Johan Sverdrup ofVenstre (Left) becomes prime minister. Høyre and Venstre alternate in office, with Emil Stang (1889-1891, Høyre). Johannes Wilhelm Christian Steen (1891-1893, Venstre), Stang again (1893-1895),Georg Francis Hagerup (1895-1898), Steen again (1898-1902), Otto Albert Blehr (1902-1903,Venstre) and Georg Francis Hagerup (1903-1905, Høyre). Hagerup leads a all-party coalition.The union persists until 1905, when Sweden recognizes the independent Kingdom of Norway. TheNorwegian government offers the throne of Norway to Danish prince Carl in 1905. After a plebisciteapproving the establishment of a monarchy, the parliament unanimously elected him king. PeterChristian Hersleb Michelsen of Venstre becomes that year prime minister, succeeded in 1907 byJørgen Gunnarson Løvland in a coaltion of Høyre with part of Venstre, in 1908 by Aanon GunnarKnudsen of Venstre and in 1910 by Wollert Konow (Frisenedde Venstre, Freethinking Left). In 1912Jens Kristian Meinich Bratlie of Høyre forms the government, but Venstre resumes office with AanonGunnar Knudsen in 1913. The conservatives come into power in 1920 with Otto Bahr Halvorsen, butalready in 1921 Venstre brings Blehr back into office. Between 1921 and 1924 Høyre rules, withHalvorsen (1923) and Abraham Theodor Berge (1923-1924). Venstre can form a government in 1924with Johan Ludwig Mowinckel, but in 1926 Høyre brings Ivar Lykke to the premiership. The firstgovernment of DNA is formed in 1928 with Christopher Hornsrud, but he is succeeded in a month byMowinckel. In 1931 the first Bondepartiet (Farmers’ Party) led government is a fact with PederLudvik Kolstad (1931-1932) and Jens Hundseid (1932-1933). Johan Ludwig Mowinckel resumes thepremiership in 1933. In 1935 Johan Nygaardsvold forms a government led by Det NorskeArbeiderparti (Norwegian Labour Party, DNA). Between 1940 and 1945 Norway is occupied byGermany. In occupied Norway Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Quisling of the fascist Nasjional Samling(National Rally) becomes minister president. Nygaardsvold leads the government in exile.After the liberation in 1945 DNA leads the governments with Einar Henry Gerhardsen (1945-1951,1955-1963 and 1963-1965), Oscar Fredrik Torp (1951-1955). In 1963 John Daniel Fyrstenberg Lyngof Høyre forms shortly a government. In 1965 the non-socialist parties win the elections and form acoalition government under prime minister Per Borten of the Senterparti (Centre Party, Sp) until 1971.The DNA regains power that year with prime minister Trygve Martin Bratteli, but he has to resign in1972. Lars Korvald of the KFp Party becomes prime-minister. In 1973 the DNA wins the electionsand Bratelli becomes prime minister again. He is succeeded in 1976 by Odvar Nordli and in 1981 byGro Harlem Brundtland.DNA loses its majority in parliament in the 1981 elections. Since that time, minority and coalitiongovernments have been the rule. Kåre Isaachsen Willoch, leader of Høyre, becomes prime minister.After the 1986 elections Brundtland can lead a DNA government. Between 1989 and 1990 Jan PederSyse heads a Høyre led government. After the 1990 elections Brundtland serves as prime ministeragain from 1990 until 1996 when she decides to step out of politics. DNA leader Thorbjørn Jaglandforms a new DNA government that stays in office until 1997. A three-party minority coalitiongovernment of Kristelig Folkeparti (Christian People’s Party, KFp), Sp and Venstre headed by KjellMagne Bondevik of the KFp moves into office. When this government falls, DNA leader JensStoltenberg takes over in a minority government. he loses the 2001 elections and Bondevik once againbecame prime minister in a minority government.